What does it mean to find beauty in shadows? For as long as I can remember, I’ve been captivated by the darker edges of imagination. I grew up chasing sword fights across the screen and getting lost in stories that were larger than life. The Mask of Zorro (1998) and Gladiator (2000) taught me about courage and spectacle, while The Mummy, Star Wars, and even Sleeping Beauty whispered magic, mystery, and a dash of mischief into my imagination. Off-screen, I was buried in books—Dracula, The Count of Monte Cristo, Frankenstein, Dune— and, of course, stacks of DC Comics, where my admiration for the Dark Knight began and never let go.
Beyond the ink and paper, I’ve always carried a weird fascination with dinosaurs and an undying love for animals (always preferring them over humans), and a deep curiosity for mythologies and history. These worlds—whether ancient legends, long-extinct creatures, or the quiet wisdom of animals—have shaped my imagination just as much as movies and comics. I draw endless inspiration from the grandeur of historical paintings I’ve encountered in museums, driving me deep into my research chasing all their details and their forgotten stories. Through my work, I want to revive the beauty of maximalism. I want to create a fantasy in a world that often feels too fast, too minimal, and too digital.
But growing up, with these passions weren’t easy. I was often bullied by both family members and classmates for being interested these things, for seeing the world a little too differently. It made me retreat inward, and that’s when I turned to drawing. Paper and canvas became my companions of choice. There’s just something that feels more grounding in the weight of a pencil, the scratch of graphite on rough paper, or the layered textures of ink and charcoal. It’s not just about creating an image—it’s about feeling it take shape beneath my hands, as though every mark connects me back to the stories, and the fascinations that built me. Art became my escape, my little rebellion against the noise. On paper, I could rewrite the rules: shadows could be playful, monsters could be noble, and heroes could be broken but still rise again. Feel free to check out some of my work on my social media platforms: Signed, Christie.
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Monday, 8 September 2025
Beauty Beneath the Shadows
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